As you begin to think about transitioning to a new SIS, there is a lot to navigate and plan for.

During this phase, we help with:

• Planning Workshop: Put your project plan together. Create the story for your implementation. Build your team.

• Timeline: Create a timeline that makes sense based on your chosen system, modules to implement and people who will be impacted.

• People: Assigning roles and responsibilities

• Set Expectations: Communication is key and setting expectations for the affected people will be a key success. The work for your team will come in waves and we want to make sure people stay on task.

Once the team and timeline have been established, it’s time to dive-in to data prep, configuration and planning meetings. This stage is important for a smooth transition into the rollout.

During this phase, we help you with:

• Data Preparation: You need to prepare your data for loading. This involves taking data out of your old system(s), combining it together, cleaning it and getting it ready for the new system. Data prep is a key to success. We can’t get it wrong. Some pieces of data are critical to get right the first time, others can be fixed later.

• System Configuration: System drop-downs and configuration items will drive the workflow, reporting and screens in the new system. This is your opportunity to impact best practice workflows and get insight and buy-in from directors and staff.

• Planning for your Parents, Teachers and Students: During this phase, you’ll want to plan for what your parent, teacher and student experience will look like. The summer will be busy and this is your opportunity to work with communications and directors to get it right for your constituents.

• Integrations: Are you integrating your new SIS with any other tools? Advancement? Health? Website? Calendars? Dismissal? Crisis Management? Now is the time to begin testing and planning for how the data will flow and what can be automated.

After all of your preparations are done, it’s time for the new system to become your system of record. A lot of pieces go into making sure everyone is ready. During this period, there will be times when users get “stuck” and need extra help diagnosing issues (data, workflow, configuration, system, etc). It will be especially important for the admins to learn the key/core competencies in your new system as it lays the foundation for use of the system.

During this phase, we help you with:

Data Verification: After your data has been loaded, you’ll want to verify and do a final clean-up it to make sure the data is ready for use (reports, user accounts, etc) which allows you to roll the system out to a wider range of users.

Communication: Having a communication plan helps to ensure the right communication is going out at the right time. Internal and external communication regarding timing/expectations of the rollout are key.

Change Management: Learning a new system with its many screens, features, workflows, reports, (quirks) and more is no small task. Multiply that by your your staff, and you have your hands full. Managing and supporting people through the change will be a major factor of a successful implementation.

Training: This is where the rubber meets the road. Don’t skimp on training. Make training as fun and engaging as possible. Train, train and re-train.

Lots of activity happens during this phase including: training (initial and in-depth) of the wider administrative teams; creating user accounts; launching the parent, student and teacher portals; loading student schedules; final supplemental data loads (events, historical data, etc); getting ready to take attendance on the first day of school and much more.

During this phase, we help you with:

Super Users/Department Champions: In order to have a successful rollout, you’re going to have a network of support for your school. You’ll want to enable a small team of super users to be the go-to support folks

Workflow: The new system will bring new workflows and new ways of doing business. Take advantage of these opportunities, but make sure others are aware of the changes.

Surveys: Survey users regularly to gather feedback regarding how they feel things are going.

Training: Train and train again. Peel back the different layers of the onion. Some learn better by reading, others by watching, others by doing and others by pictures. Meet your users where they are to elevate their knowledge.